Category Archives: NTO (National Tourist Offices)

Great Britain, the most visited country by GCC travellers are promoting their newest campaign for the visitors from GCC to experience the special Royal residences, cottages, hotels, castles etc. The countdown is on for the Coronation of King Charles III, taking place on Saturday, May 6th, 2023. Whether a royal enthusiast or looking for the ultimate royal treatment, visitors can tread in royal footsteps by staying on or nearby to Britain’s royal residences and estates at cottages, hotels and castles with Royal links all across Britain.  From estates owned by members of the royal family to places and destinations where they have stayed, Britain has an amazing collection of regal places to stay. Sandringham Garden House – located in the Norfolk Coast of England, the country retreat is used by the Monarch and the royal family during the holidays. The garden house on the estate, listed by Norfolk Hideaways, was the former home of the queen’s head gardener and is the closest estate to the royal house and is available for rent. Hampton Court Palace Georgian House – originally the kitchens for George, Prince of Wales, The Georgian House was built in 1719 at Hampton Court Palace and has since been converted into a five-bedroom house.  King Henry VIII was the most famous resident of Hampton Court Palace, along with each of his six wives.  Most palace visitors are typically required to leave the palace grounds at closing, but those staying in the five-bedroom Georgian House can continue to explore the palace’s spectacular courtyards and gardens. The Duchy of Cornwall Holiday Cottages – the Isles of Scilly, 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, are partly owned by royalty as …

 The Kingdom of Bahrain has cemented its business-friendly reputation, ranking 1st globally as the ‘Best Destination for Getting Started Abroad’ in 2023, according to the Expat Essentials Index published by InterNations. The milestone ranking of first in the overall index, which places Bahrain firmly ahead of leading countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Canada, is based on a comprehensive survey that analyses the performance of countries across several key indices, resulting in a comparative scale on both regional and international levels. Citing Bahrain as the ‘ideal place for easy beginnings’, the index surveyed foreigners across 52 countries in the world, rating each destination based on vital aspects typically associated with settling into a country. Alongside its global ranking of 1st overall, the Kingdom additionally ranked 1st in MENA and 11th globally for Digital Life, a testament to Bahrain’s advanced financial and digital infrastructure and progressive regulatory framework. The survey scored countries across four key pillars, analyzing aspects including digital readiness, online government services, ease of digital payments, ease of opening a bank account and obtaining a visa, in addition to ease and affordability of housing. Furthermore, the metrics assessed potential language barriers, in terms of ease of living without speaking the local language, for which Bahrain ranked 4th globally, which reaffirms Bahrain’s business friendly environment and talented workforce that combines highly skilled, multi-lingual, hospitable Bahraini nationals alongside a diverse expat talent pool offering a global perspective. Bahrain also ranked 1st in MENA and 3rd globally in ease of opening a bank account. 67% of surveyed expats reported high levels of ease in dealing with local authorities, versus the global average of 40%. Ranking 2nd globally …

Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism joined forces to partner with the highly acclaimed Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress 2023, an exclusive event that brought the largest Business-to-Business platform for weddings to Doha. This collaboration underscores the city’s growing stature as a key figure in the MICE industry, which continues to attract business travellers from around the world. The 9th edition of DWP congress was held from 14-16 March, to bring together leading wedding planner professionals who provided fresh perspectives on the industry through a series of keynote speeches and DWP masterclasses. Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker opened the congress with a speech to spotlight Qatar’s offerings as a versatile and captivating wedding destination. Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Our continuous effort to promote Qatar as a leading destination that caters to the needs of all travellers has been further strengthened by the recent hosting of the Destination Wedding Planners Congress 2023. This event is regarded as the most prestigious B2B gathering in the multi-billion-dollar wedding industry, and we are honoured to have had the best wedding planners and designers in Doha. We eagerly anticipate welcoming them back following an inspiring visit this year, and look forward to seeing their vision for luxurious and elaborate weddings.” The DWP congress has grown rapidly since its inception in 2014, which took place in Greece, and has successfully made its mark in desirable destinations across the globe from Florence, Phuket, Los Cabos, Dubai and Bali. This year the congress highlighted Doha, a city that has undergone remarkable developments in hospitality, aviation, …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and the FTI GROUP  struck a new agreement that paves the way for the launch of twice-weekly flights from Munich to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in the fourth quarter of this year. The agreement, which was signed by Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Ralph Schiller, CEO of the FTI GROUP ranked among the headline announcements on day one of the Arab Aviation Summit, which is currently being staged at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah. It will significantly expand air connectivity between Ras Al Khaimah and Germany, one of the emirate’s top five visitor source markets for many years. Germany ranks among the global tourism industry’s most important outbound source markets and is projected to account for almost 118 million travellers annually by 2024, according to a recent report published by GlobalData. “This agreement with the FTI GROUP marks a major milestone in Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism development strategy, as we look to drive inbound traffic from Germany, which counts among our fastest-growing visitor source markets,” commented Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “In 2022, we’ve experienced 81% growth in German visitors to Ras Al Khaimah compared to the previous year, and the addition of twice-weekly direct flights from Munich, one of the country’s most important aviation hubs, should see this number grow substantially. In fact, our robust relationships with all leading trade partners in Germany will all play a key role in reaching our target of 3 million visitors annually by 2030, while boosting tourism’s GDP contribution from 5% today to almost a third …

At ITB Berlin 2023, Sharjah has showcased a captivating vision of the present and future of tourism. Led by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), the emirate’s innovatively designed pavilion at the event powered by latest digital technologies was a popular hive of activity and business networking for three days, offering visitors a vivid experience of Sharjah’s leading tourist attractions spanning its stunning diverse natural and manmade landscapes. SCTDA led a delegation of 15 public and private entities, tourist office representatives and travel agencies from Sharjah, who presented emerging investment opportunities in tourism to visiting business professionals, industry leaders and potential partners, in a series of meetings. At the event’s various discussion forums, the Sharjah delegation representatives also turned the spotlight on the efforts and innovations in the sectors of sustainable tourism, eco-tourism, adventure and cultural tourism driven by their efforts. Over the years, Sharjah has emerged as one of the regional leaders in these sectors, which are playing a major role in promoting and preserving socio-economic history and our natural environment. Sharjah’s stunningly diverse natural beauty characterised by pristine beaches, rugged mountainous terrain – all enriched by the town’s unique cultural heritage come together to offer tourists and visitors several opportunities to explore. In recent years, these opportunities have expanded considerably through the hosting of cultural events, new adventure tourism and water sport activities, the opening of luxury hospitality destinations as well as heritage attractions, which all contributed to Khorfakkan winning the prestigious award – an acknowledgement of the coastal town’s dedication to promoting sustainable tourism options and providing exceptional experiences to residents, visitors and tourists. From experiential virtual tours of emerging touristic assets like the Sharjah …

Oman Air applauded the efforts of Oman Golf Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commence, Industry and Investment Promotion for a first-of-its-kind golf diplomacy initiative between Oman and Italy, which concluded this week. As the event’s official airline sponsor, the national carrier brought in the qualifying players, who included some of Italy’s most prominent investors, into Oman for the final, held at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat. The event raised awareness about Oman’s tourism and investment potential in Italy and other key European target markets. Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “In line with our commitment to Oman’s 2040 Vision, Oman Air is a strong supporter of sports tourism, which is a key vehicle for promoting the country’s natural beauty and rich culture to visitors from all over the world. The Oman Golf Trophy was a huge success, leveraging golf as an ambassador to highlight Oman’s rich investment potential and strengthen diplomatic ties between Oman and Italy. We look forward to seeing more events like it in the future that showcase Oman to the world and provide opportunities for economic growth and job creation.” Oman Air’s efforts to promote investment and sports tourism in Oman are in line with the country’s vision to diversify its economy and create new opportunities for growth. The airline has been a major sponsor of numerous sporting events in Oman and internationally, including most recently the 44Cup, Oman Desert Marathon and Ironman 70.3.

The Saudi Tourism Authority welcomes the expansion of the GCC residents visa which now is open to all professions for those wanting to apply for a tourist visa. Announced by the Ministry of Tourism the visa allows visitors to enjoy Saudi’s diverse tourist destinations and perform Umrah throughout the year. This is the latest in a series of announcements across the Saudi tourism eco-system that aim to attract regional tourists and provide more activities for visitors coming from GCC countries. People wishing to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can view more information and apply for a visa on www.visa.visitsaudi.com. The Visit Saudi app also provides a gateway for travelers to discover all the events, international festivals, inspiring tourism experiences, and enjoy the country’s climate, natural and cultural diversity, and the authentic generosity and hospitality of  the Saudi people. The tourist visa was launched in 2019, to keep up with the development and growth of the tourism sector. In 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Nusuk platform in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program. Nusuk, Saudi’s first-ever official integrated digital platform, offers all pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah, and beyond. With Nusuk, travelers from all over the world can easily organize their entire visit, from applying for an eVisa to booking hotels and flights. To book Umrah travel, visit www.Nusuk.sa. Saudi has seen a remarkable increase in the number of visitors every year, reaching more than 93 million visits in 2022. The tourism sector aims to reach 100 million visits annually by 2030.

The number of travellers visiting Germany from the GCC recorded more than double in 2022, resulting in double the room nights as compared to 2021, according to new data from the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Germany recorded approximately 1.12 million room nights in 2022, more than double the 2021 figure of 500,000. GCC travellers were responsible for more than 335,000 room nights in the first half of 2022, representing a 318 per cent increase on 2021. The second half of the year brought even more growth, with records showing a further 793,000 room nights – a 136.7 per cent jump on the previous six months. Further, Germany recorded more than 404,000 GCC travellers in 2022 that resulted in the 1.12 million room nights, a 243.84% increase from 2021 that recorded just a bit more than 165,000 GCC travellers that resulted in 500,000 room nights approx. “This consistent growth illustrates an increasing interest in Germany from the GCC and amplifies anticipation for the year ahead,” said Yamina Sofo, director at the Dubai-based German National Tourist Office (GNTO). “The rise in travellers can certainly be attributed to Germany’s ongoing efforts to diversify itineraries through various tourism campaigns that highlight local cultures, family-focused leisure options, and natural, sustainability focussed travel options.” Sofo continued: “We have seen a consistent growth in 2022 – both quarter-by-quarter and year-on-year. Now our focus lies in amplifying these numbers in 2023 by driving sustainable tourism offerings and helping ensure visitors explore and experience the culture and natural beauty of Germany throughout all its states and cities.” Further, GCC travellers were more inclined towards visiting places that were surrounded by nature and exploring the country’s green landscapes and …

The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MOHT), hosted the largest Global Travel Week Middle East this week with the participation of 200 professionals in the field of luxury tourism from around the world, along with 40 local Omani tourism industry key players. It was two days of networking opportunities to connect with the luxury exhibitors across the globe in the Sultanate of Oman. Asma bint Salem Al Hajriya, Deputy Director General for Tourism Promotion at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in the Sultanate of Oman said in her closing remarks stated, “On behalf of my country, the Sultanate of Oman, and on behalf of my entire team of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, we are all delighted to welcome you here today – we hope you have a very enjoyable time and are excited to learn more about our beautiful country. Oman is a blessed country with a diverse landscape, nature, heritage and history and of course, without forgetting the most aspect of its people, the most renowned friendliest and hospitable people of Oman are the assets of this country. With all these components, Oman delivers a unique luxury travel experience.” She further reiterated, “striking the perfect balance between international outlook and traditional atmosphere, our deep culture and heritage combined with world-class hotels and authentic Arabian experiences, means that we are very well placed to make the most of the growing interest in visiting our region. Events like today are an invaluable opportunity for you to connect with our stakeholders, and I hope that as we end this two day event you had fruitful meetings and good knowledge of what Oman offers …

Saudi kicks off its first participation at ITB Berlin, the world’s biggest travel show and convention, celebrating key milestones for Saudi’s tourism growth story and showcasing the breadth and depth of Saudi’s extraordinary destination offering. In the run up to the event, Saudi hosted members of media at the press conference session “Unexpected Arabia: Discover Saudi,” on Monday 6 March, giving a preview of Saudi’s diverse offerings and developments. During the week there will be interactive on-stand experiences, bringing to life the rich culture and heritage of one of the world’s last frontiers of tourism. Visitors will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the authentic home of Arabia, to feel the unparalleled hospitality for which the country is known. As the largest exhibitor at this year’s edition of ITB Berlin, a record number of partners for Saudi are on the stand showcasing a record number of bookable products for the destination (200+) spanning experiences, packages, hotels, and cruises for trade partners. This presence reflects the incredible growth the country is witnessing. Since opening to tourism in 2019, Saudi has been recognized as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in the G20. With an extraordinary +121% increase from pre-pandemic international tourism levels, Saudi achieved 93.5 million visits in 2022 and is outpacing global tourism sector recovery as recognized by the UNWTO. As the world’s biggest investor in tourism, Saudi has committed $550bn to new destinations by 2030. Preserving heritage and history, a $50.6 billion masterplan will transform Diriyah, a 300-year-old city and birthplace of Saudi, into one of the world’s most exciting cultural sites. In 2023, Red Sea Global, the world’s most ambitious luxury tourism development, will debut its first hotel …